KR20210084471A - Mechanical locking end screw arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The fluid control assembly includes a body having a female end port and an end adapter including a male end screw threadedly assembled with the female end port, an end connector, and an internal passageway extending from the end connector to the end screw. One of the body and end adapter includes at least one peripheral recess, and the other of the body and end adapter includes a peripheral flange. A portion of the peripheral flange circumferentially aligned with the at least one recess is deformed into interlocking engagement with the at least one recess for rotationally securing the end adapter relative to the body.

Description

Mechanical locking end screw arrangement

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and all interests to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/755,715 (application date: November 5, 2018, title of invention: "MECHANICALLY LOCKING END SCREW ARRANGEMENTS"), and this basic application is incorporated herein by reference.

technical field of invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fluid system components utilizing threaded end screw-type end adapters.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid control assembly comprises a body having a female threaded end port, and a male end screw threadedly assembled with the female end port, an end connector, and an internal passageway extending from the end connector to the end screw. end adapters comprising One of the body and end adapter includes at least one peripheral recess, and the other of the body and end adapter includes a peripheral flange. A portion of the peripheral flange circumferentially aligned with the at least one recess is deformed into interlocking engagement with the at least one recess to rotationally secure the end adapter to the body.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of making a mechanically locked threaded connection is contemplated. In an exemplary method, a body and an end adapter are provided, the body including a female-threaded end port, and the end adapter including a male-threaded end screw and an end connector. One of the body and end adapter includes at least one peripheral recess, and the other of the body and end adapter includes a peripheral flange. The male end screw is threadedly assembled with the female end port and a portion of the peripheral flange is deformed into interlocking engagement with the at least one outer peripheral recess to rotationally secure the end adapter to the body.

These and other inventive concepts and embodiments are fully described hereinafter, and will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in consideration of the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a body and end adapter of a fluid device assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1 shown in a fully assembled state;
3 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown fully assembled and mechanically locked;
4 is an exploded perspective view of a body and end adapter of another fluid device assembly, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 4 shown in a fully assembled state;
6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 4 shown fully assembled and mechanically locked;
7 is an exploded perspective view of a body and end adapter of another fluid device assembly, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 7 shown in a fully assembled state; and
9 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 7 shown fully assembled and mechanically locked;

Although the exemplary embodiments described herein relate to shut-off ball valves with threaded end screw-type end adapters, the inventive features described may include, for example, other types of valves (e.g., needle valves, gate valves, bellows valves, diaphragm valves, check valves), fittings, filters, regulators, and sample cylinders.

Although various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the invention may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be implemented individually or in various ways in many alternative embodiments. combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and subcombinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, various alternatives to the various aspects, concepts and features of the present invention, such as alternative materials, structures, constructions, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives to formation, fit and function, and the like. Although alternative embodiments may be described herein, this description is not an exhaustive or exhaustive list of alternative embodiments available, whether presently known or later developed. One skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts, or features of the present invention as further embodiments, and use within the scope of the present invention, even if such embodiments are not explicitly disclosed herein. Additionally, although some feature, concept, or aspect of the invention may be described herein as a preferred apparatus or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless explicitly stated otherwise. . Also, while exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to aid in understanding the present disclosure, such values and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense, and are only deemed to be thresholds or ranges when explicitly stated as such. It is intended Also, while exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to aid in understanding the present disclosure, such values and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense, and are only deemed to be thresholds or ranges when explicitly stated as such. It is intended Parameters identified as “approximately” or “about” of a designated value are intended to include both the designated value and values within 10% of the designated value, unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the drawings accompanying this application may, but need not be, to scale, and thus may be understood to teach the various ratios and proportions apparent in the drawings. Moreover, although various aspects, features, and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of the invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather per se or as part of a particular invention. There may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that have been fully described herein without being explicitly identified as being, the inventions being set forth instead in the appended claims. The description of an exemplary method or process is not limited to including all steps necessary in all instances, and the order in which the steps are presented is not to be construed as required or necessary unless explicitly stated.

A fluid device, such as a shut-off valve, is generally provided with at least two end connections for mounting the fluid device in a fluid system. Although the end connections may be integrally formed with the body of the fluid device, separate end adapters assembled with the body of the fluid device may be used in different sized fluid systems or other types of connections (eg, threaded connections, welded end connections, gaskets). connections, tube fitting connections) allow for adaptability of the fluid device for use with In one such arrangement, the fluid device body includes a female threaded port sized to assemble with a male threaded portion (or “end screw”) of an end screwed end adapter. This arrangement may facilitate rapid and adaptable device assembly, eliminating the need for separate fasteners or welding operations.

In some embodiments, subsequent loosening or disassembly of the installed end screw-type end adapter may not be necessary, particularly when the fluid device is installed in a fluid system involving high pressure, high temperature, or corrosive/toxic fluid conditions. In embodiments where the fluid device end adapter includes a threaded end connection, an effort to unscrew the end connection from the fluid system may unintentionally loosen the end screw from the fluid device body. Other conditions including, for example, system vibration or fluid device tampering can also result in inadvertent or undesirable loosening.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a threaded end adapter is provided by crimping, pinning a portion of one of the end adapter and body into a recessed portion of the other of the end adapter and body after fully screwing the end adapter with the body. may be mechanically locked with the fluid device body by peening or otherwise deforming, thereby preventing rotation of the end adapter relative to the body (eg in the loosening and/or tightening direction). As an example, one of the end adapter and body can include a deformable peripheral wall or flange, and the other of the end adapter and body can include at least one recess disposed in a portion of its perimeter. When the end adapter is tightened with the body to a desired condition (eg, a desired torque, number of turns and/or direction of rotation), at least one recess and a portion of the wall/flange circumferentially aligned with the recessed recess. and crimping, pinning or otherwise deforming into mating or interlocking engagements, thereby securing the end adapters in the desired conditions.

1-3 show an exemplary assembly 100 including a body 120 and an end adapter 130 . The body 120 includes an inner cavity 121 and a female threaded end port 122 . The end adapter 130 includes a male end screw 132 , an end connector 133 , and an internal passageway 131 extending from the end screw 132 to the end connector 133 . The end connectors 133 may include various end connections including, for example, male or female pipe threads, tube fittings, weld ends, or gasket connections. As shown, the end adapter 130 may be provided with an outer hexagonal portion 134 to facilitate tightening with a wrench or other tool. In other embodiments, other features (eg, holes for a spanner wrench) may be used to facilitate tightening.

The body 120 includes two recesses or notches 125 extending axially on the outer periphery of the end port 122 , the end adapter 130 being assembled with the body 120 by the end adapter 130 . (FIG. 2) includes a radially extending peripheral flange 135 that approaches or abuts the perimeter of the end port. When the end adapter 130 is tightened with the body 120 to a desired condition (e.g., a desired torque, number of turns, and/or direction of rotation), a peripheral flange that is circumferentially aligned with each notch 125 ( Portion 135a of 135 may be aligned with aligned notch 125 using a suitable tool (eg, a pneumatic or hydraulic press or hammer, or manually operated hammer, plier, or other such tool) or The interlocking engagement can be crimped, pinned or otherwise deformed in the axial direction ( FIG. 3 ), thereby securing the end adapter 130 in a desired position. While the illustrated embodiment includes two notches 125 in the body end port 122 , in other embodiments, the body includes any number of modified portions of the end adapter flange and any number for interlocking engagement. Notches (eg, one or three or more) may be provided.

4-6 show another exemplary assembly 200 including a body 220 and an end adapter 230 . Similar to the assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the body 220 includes an internal cavity 221 and a female end port 222 , the end adapter 230 includes a male end screw 232 , an end connector 233 , and an internal passage 231 extending from the end screw 232 to the end connector 233 . The end adapter 230 includes a radially extending recess or notch 236 on the outer periphery of a flange portion 235 extending radially outwardly of the hexagonal outer portion 234 of the end adapter, the body ( 220 includes an axially extending peripheral collar or flange 225 , the peripheral collar or flange extending axially outward from the end port 222 , wherein the end adapter 230 is connected to the body It is sized to receive and axially align with the end adapter flange portion 235 when assembled with 220 ( FIG. 5 ). When the end adapter 230 is tightened with the body 220 to a desired condition (e.g., a desired torque, number of turns, and/or direction of rotation), a peripheral flange that is circumferentially aligned with each notch 236 ( Portion 225a of 225 may be brought into mating or interlocking engagement with aligned notches 236 using a suitable tool (eg, a pneumatic or hydraulic press or hammer, or manually operated hammer, pliers, or other such tool). Crimping, pinning or otherwise deforming radially ( FIG. 6 ), thereby securing the end adapter 230 in a desired position. Although the notch may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes, in the illustrated embodiment, the notch 236 closely engages the crimped portion of the flange 225 sufficient to securely lock the end adapter 230 in the desired rotational position. Form a half-moon shape of an acceptable size, respectively. Also, while the illustrated embodiment includes two notches 236 in the end adapter flange 235 , in other embodiments, the end adapter flange includes any number of deformed portions of the body flange for interlocking engagement. A number of notches (eg, 1 or 3 or more) may be provided.

7-9 show another exemplary assembly 300 including a body 320 and an end adapter 330 . Similar to the assemblies 100 and 200 shown in FIGS. 1-6 , the body 320 includes an internal cavity 321 and a female end port 322 , and the end adapter 330 includes a male end screw 332 . ), an end connector 333 , and an internal passage 331 extending from the end screw 332 to the end connector 333 . The end adapter 330 includes a recess 336 defined by a hex flat of a hexagonal outer portion 334 of the end adapter, the body 320 having an axially extending peripheral collar or flange 325 ), the peripheral collar or flange is sized to receive and axially align with the hexagonal outer portion 334 when the end adapter 330 is assembled with the body 320 ( FIG. 5 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the hexagonal outer portion 334 includes a necked-down axial inner portion 337 , the edges of the hexagonal portion 334 being hexagonal within the body flange or collar 325 . It is removed or omitted to facilitate accommodation of the outer portion 334 . When the end adapter 330 is tightened with the body 320 to a desired condition (eg, a desired torque, number of turns, and/or direction of rotation), a peripheral flange circumferentially aligned with the recess confining flat 336 . One or more portions 325a of 325 may be brought into mating or interlocking engagement with an aligned flat 336 using a suitable tool (eg, a conventional tool such as a crescent, pipe, or open end wrench). It may be crimped, pinned or otherwise deformed radially ( FIG. 9 ), thereby securing the end adapter 330 in a desired position. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire perimeter flange 325 can deform radially inward for interlocking engagement with all hex flats 336 . In other embodiments, only a portion of the peripheral flange may be deformed into interlocking engagement with only a portion of the hexagonal flat (eg, one or two of the hexagonal flats). For example, opposite side portions of the flange may be crimped radially inward for interlocking engagement with two hexagonal flats on opposite sides of the hexagonal outer portion of the end adapter.

The fluid control assemblies described herein may be provided in a variety of materials including, for example, metals such as one or more of stainless steel, carbon steel, and brass.

Aspects and concepts of the invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Modifications and variations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. It is intended to cover all such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims (26)

A fluid control assembly comprising:
a body having a female threaded end port; and
an end adapter comprising a male end screw threadedly assembled with the female end port, an end connector, and an internal passageway extending from the end connector to the end screw
including;
one of the body and the end adapter includes at least one outer peripheral recess, the other of the body and the end adapter includes a peripheral flange;
a portion of the peripheral flange circumferentially aligned with the at least one recess is deformed into interlocking engagement with the at least one recess for rotationally securing the end adapter relative to the body. control assembly. The fluid control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer peripheral recess is disposed in the body and the peripheral flange is disposed in the end adapter. 3. The fluid control assembly of claim 2, wherein the end adapter includes a hexagonal outer portion, and wherein the peripheral flange extends radially outward of the hexagonal outer portion. 4. The fluid control assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the peripheral recess comprises a notch in the body end port. The fluid control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral recess is disposed in the end adapter and the peripheral flange is disposed in the body. 6. The fluid control assembly of claim 5, wherein the peripheral flange includes an axially extending peripheral collar that extends axially outward from an end face of the body end port. 7. The end adapter of claim 6, wherein the end adapter comprises an axially extending flange at least partially received within the collar, and wherein the at least one outer perimeter recess comprises a notch on an outer periphery of the flange of the end adapter; and a portion of the collar deforms into interlocking engagement with the notch. 8. The fluid control assembly of claim 7, wherein the notch is half-moon shaped. 7. The portion of claim 6, wherein the end adapter includes a hexagonal outer portion at least partially received within the collar, the hexagonal outer portion including a plurality of hexagonal flats defining the at least one recess, the portion of the collar is deformed into interlocking engagement with at least one of the plurality of hexagonal flats. 10. The fluid control assembly of claim 9, wherein the hexagonal outer portion includes a neck-down axial inner portion sized to be received within the collar. 11. The fluid control assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a valve body. 12. The fluid control assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the body and end adapters comprise at least one of stainless steel, carbon steel and brass. 13. The connector of any of claims 1-12, wherein the end connector of the end adapter comprises one of a female threaded pipe fitting, a male threaded pipe fitting, a tube fitting, a weld tube stub, and a gasketed connector. , fluid control assembly. A method of making a mechanically locked threaded connection, comprising:
providing a body comprising a female end port and an end adapter comprising a male end screw and an end connector, wherein one of the body and the end adapter comprises at least one peripheral recess, the body and the end providing the end adapter, the other of which includes a peripheral flange;
threading the female end port and the male end screw; and
deforming a portion of the peripheral flange into interlocking engagement with the at least one outer peripheral recess to rotationally secure the end adapter relative to the body. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one outer peripheral recess is disposed in the body and the peripheral flange is disposed in the end adapter. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the end adapter includes a hexagonal outer portion, and wherein the peripheral flange extends radially outward of the hexagonal outer portion. 17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the peripheral recess comprises a notch in the body end port. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one outer peripheral recess is disposed in the end adapter and the peripheral flange is disposed in the body. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the peripheral flange includes an axially extending collar extending axially outwardly from an end face of the body end port. 20. The end adapter of claim 19, wherein the end adapter comprises an axially extending flange, the at least one outer perimeter recess comprises a notch in the outer periphery of the flange of the end adapter, the female end port and the male end screw wherein the step of assembling the screw includes at least partially receiving an end adapter flange within the collar, wherein deforming the portion of the peripheral flange into interlocking engagement with the at least one outer perimeter recess comprises: and radially deforming the collar into interlocking engagement with a notch. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the notch is half-moon shaped. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the end adapter comprises a hexagonal outer portion at least partially received within the collar, the hexagonal outer portion comprising a plurality of hexagonal flats defining the at least one recess, the at least one wherein deforming the portion of the peripheral flange into interlocking engagement with an outer peripheral recess comprises radially deforming the collar into interlocking engagement with at least one of the plurality of hexagonal flats. How to make a connection. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the hexagonal outer portion comprises a neck-down axial inner portion sized to be received within the collar. 24. The method of any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the body comprises a valve body. 25. The method of any of claims 14-24, wherein the body and end adapters comprise at least one of stainless steel, carbon steel and brass. 26. The mechanically locked mechanically locked according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the end connector of the end adapter comprises one of a female pipe fitting, a male pipe fitting, a tube fitting, a welded tube stub, and a gasketed connector. How to make a screw connection.

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